NFL Analysis
4/28/25
7 min read
Best Fits For Top Remaining NFL Free Agents After 2025 Draft
After the first week of free agency, the NFL's key decision-makers had sent a clear signal through their actions that any signings yet to come had to fall in line with draft plans. That meant every deal had to be a great bargain or address a need they could not fill with a draft pick. Veterans, as they often do, waited to see what the 2025 NFL Draft would bring before committing to their next home.
The fallout of the 2025 NFL Draft continues even after the clock struck zero and all picks were made. Now, there's set to be another round of free agency. The financial calendar rolls over on June 1, and free agents that sign now will no longer count in the comp pick equation.
These six free agents may not cash in with huge multi-year deals, but they can each make a big impact this season. Here's the best fit for each of the top remaining NFL free agents.
Top Fits for Remaining NFL Free Agents
Aaron Rodgers, QB: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers were heavily linked to quarterbacks throughout the 2025 NFL Draft, but the three days came and went with only one addition in the sixth round: Will Howard. Howard may very well beat out Mason Rudolph for the starting job, but Aaron Rodgers is a better option.
It's impossible to separate some of Rodgers's personality issues from his on-field capabilities. Still, Pittsburgh's situation is desperate enough to give the 41-year-old a try.
Rodgers is no longer a high-end starter in consistent playmaking, but he was better than Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were in 2024. Considering Pittsburgh's investments in DK Metcalf and a rebuilt offensive line, the team should be confident they can get even more out of Rodgers in 2025.
Plenty of positives remain in Rodgers' game, including reliable accuracy and decision-making. His explosive throw rate dropped significantly after his Achilles tear, and he's not nearly as mobile as he was many moons ago, but the Steelers can be a feared playoff team with Rodgers at the helm.
Brandon Scherff, RG: Cincinnati Bengals
There will always be demand for competent blockers, so it's surprising when impactful ones sit on the market for a while. Brandon Scherff is looking for the right situation to come back for, and the draft was revealing. Despite signing veteran Lucas Patrick and adding third-rounder Dylan Fairchild, Cincinnati is still the best landing spot.
The Bengals' run game has been abysmal for years because of its awful interior blocking. Cincinnati has thrown assets to the position but has whiffed on the evaluation and development phases for far too long. Projected starters Cordell Volson and Cody Ford aren't nearly as good as Scherff.
At 33 years old, Scherff is a devastating run blocker with a top-15 pass-block win rate in 2024. His durability has also turned into a positive, playing in all but three games over the last three years. He'd be a good fit for Cincinnati's offense, and in return, Scherff could try to ring chase alongside Joe Burrow.
Amari Cooper, WR: Dallas Cowboys
Amari Cooper was a bust for the Buffalo Bills, failing to provide any meaningful impact in the playoffs despite seeming to be a perfect fit for Josh Allen. At 31, Cooper needs to return to a situation where the scheme prioritizes timing and the quarterback rewards players in contested catch situations. Buffalo just doesn't play that way.
However, Dallas plays that way, and they didn't add any new talent in the draft. His main competition in Dallas is embarrassingly bad, including Jonathan Mingo, Ryan Flournoy, and Parris Campbell.
Dak Prescott and Cooper combined for a tremendous four-year stretch during which Cooper averaged just under 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns a season. While Cooper had some issues with drops before his stint in Cleveland, he was a better playmaker than Dallas had in years until CeeDee Lamb showed up. The opportunity to pair Cooper with Lamb again should be enticing and affordable.
Justin Simmons, SAF: Las Vegas Raiders
There's no question that one of the biggest free-agent bust signings from 2024 was Justin Simmons. It doesn't make a ton of sense at face value, either, because Simmons was arguably the best safety in the NFL in 2024. But his move to Atlanta brought less playmaking and a career-worst tackling rate.
So why is Simmons listed here? At 31 years old, Atlanta had Simmons in a more defined role than Denver, and teams could look at his usage as a reason he was slightly exposed. Simmons always split time between the box, true free safety, and in the slot until 2024, when Atlanta essentially moved all of his slot snaps to free safety on a unit without a pass rush.
Las Vegas can avoid repeating that mistake because they have an elite pass rush and a history of producing elite safeties under Pete Carroll. Simmons might've slowed down, but he won't have to cover as much space with Maxx Crosby headlining a terrific defensive front. And he's easily an upgrade over Lonnie Johnson, Isaiah Pola-Mao, and Chris Smith.
Asante Samuel Jr., CB: Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins had too many holes to address in just one draft class, so they waited until the fifth round to add to their cornerback room. Jason Marshall Jr. will compete with Storm Duck and Cam Smith for playing time, which says a lot about the status of this room. It could get much worse if they trade Jalen Ramsey this offseason.
Taking a low-risk flier on Asante Samuel Jr. is the move a rebuilding roster should always make. Samuel played only about 26 percent of snaps last year before suffering a shoulder and neck injury that he recently revealed is something still affecting him. If Samuel's medicals eventually check out, he has to be on the team's radar.
Only 25 years old, Samuel is a playmaking outside cornerback who thrives in man and zone concepts. His tackling is average for a cornerback, but his ball skills and stickiness in coverage have made him a solid starter throughout his career. That's a huge upgrade for Miami.
The injury certainly throws a wrench into his projection, and it would be devastating if Samuel can't get cleared to play anytime soon.
J.K. Dobbins, RB: Los Angeles Rams
The top running back free agent available is still JK Dobbins. Coming off an excellent season for the rival Chargers, the 26-year-old brings better efficiency and explosiveness than anyone else on the market. The Rams already have Kyren Williams, but pairing him with Dobbins would create a better complementary duo than what they had with Williams and Blake Corum in 2024.
Dobbins' advanced numbers reveal someone who hits home runs and creates more than your average back. He ranked 13th in rushes of at least 10 yards despite having fewer carries than any back in the top 18 of the metric. PFF's breakaway metric has Dobbins as seventh amongst backs with at least 110 carries.
His injury history, which includes an Achilles and ACL tear, is significant. However, the Rams can mitigate his exposure by keeping his total workload around 200 carries alongside a talented Williams and Corum.
